What's happening around Carson City on Saturday, Dec. 22

Bid farewell to Autumn, because today is the first full day of Winter.

This is also the last weekend before Christmas Day, which means the last Santa Trains of the season at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Santa Claus also leaves his North Pole headquarters at the Carson Mall Sunday in preparation for his big night.

If you haven't pleaded your case yet to get off the naughty list, this is your last chance.

Here is what's happening on this first day of Winter:

— Holiday Craft Fair at the Carson Mall. The Carson Mall Craft Fair includes local crafts, toys, clothes, Santa and more! The Fair will run until Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Santa Claus and his elves will be joining the fair inside the Carson Mall for meet and greets and pictures on Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. Santa is available from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

— Winter Conditioning Program at Well Being Fitness. 9 a.m. 1851 S. Roop St, Unit 145, Carson City. Winter sports and activities are on the horizon! Join us at Well Being (Massage and Functional Fitness) and prepare your body for success. We focus on strength, dynamic balance and stability, and muscular endurance (yes, that means cardio!) as they relate to winter sports and activities like snow-mobile excursions, snow shoeing, skiing and snowboarding, and all the Nordic and back country activities on your list.

— 34th annual Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson Street in Carson City. The train runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this final weekend before Christmas. The Santa Train leaves Wabuska Station every 30 minutes. Tickets are $5 for all riders. Children 2 and younger who sit in an adult’s lap are free. Advance tickets are available online at https://bit.ly/2Oj5dQs

— Holiday Blood Drive, Walmart on Topsy Lane, 3770 U.S. Highway 395 in South Carson City, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blood donation services provided by Vitalant. Call 775-329-6451 to pledge a donation and book and appointment.

— Free 12-week U.S. Citizenship study class in Carson City. The ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada is here to ensure that all people have the opportunity to make the American Dream come true for them. When Our Students Succeed, Our Nation Succeeds.
Therefore, we are again sponsoring a free U.S. Citizenship Study class beginning Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 for 12 weeks from 2 to 4 p.m. The location is the Digitorium Room at the Carson City Library, 900 N. Roop St., Carson City.
Work pamphlets for each lesson will be distributed with assistance in completing the application at no charge.
Because we find that most immigrants do not have enough saved for the application fee, even working 2-3 jobs, the ESL In-Home Program has opened an account to help those who do not have the full fee of $725. The ESL In-Home Program will provide a no-interest loan for whatever balance is needed.
To register and reserve a seat, call 775-888-2021 or Email: eslinhomennv@gmail.com.
Go to www.eslinhome.org for more information.

— "A Charlie Brown Christmas," performed by Theatreworks of Northern Nevada inside the Maizie Harris Jesse Black Box Theater at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King Street in Carson City. One day only to catch this classic animated special brought to life in this faithful stage adaptation, in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees among everyone during the Christmas Season, Lucy suggests that he become the director of the school Christmas pageant. Two Saturday showings: 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children, students, seniors and military. Tickets can be purchased online at breweryarts.org or in person at Expresso Yourself Cafe inside the BAC.

— Red Dog Motley Blues and Rock'n Holiday Party at the Red Dog Saloon, 76 N. C Street in Virginia, at 7 p.m. Hosted by Mo'z Motley Blues band.

— 10th annual Gardnerville Santa Crawl, 7-10 p.m. in downtown Carson City. Dress up in your Santa or holiday attire. Costume contest held at Buckaroos at 10 p.m. Participating venues include JT Basque Bar & Dining Room, Battle Born Wine, DST Coffee, Overland Restaurant & Pub, The French Bar, Sharkey's Casino, and Nevada Ugly! Drink specials and raffles for participants. Bring a $10 donation either to Battle Born Wine or DST Coffee to receive a participant wristband. Funds raised from donations benefit Austin's House and the Carson Valley Food Closet.

— Derek Richards returns to the Carson Comedy Club located inside the Carson Nugget in Carson City on Saturday, Dec. 22. Doors open up at 7:15 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Winners Club inside the Carson Nugget or at www.ccnugget.com. the Carson Nugget is located at 507 N Carson Street. Derek's act is fast, fresh, and at times, fanatical. A regular on the Las Vegas circuit and also maintaining a constant road schedule, Derek can be seen at comedy clubs, casinos, corporate events, entertaining U.S. troops, and also on stage as the founding member of The Irish Comedy Tour.

ONGOING:

— Pets of the Homeless fundraiser in downtown Carson City. This time of year, the Nevada state capital is filled with traditions. One that has grown especially endearing to the Carson City community is the annual Pets of the Homeless fundraiser presented by Carpa Nevada, LLC and Downtown Coin. Chef Don Pepe Paz, "The Paella King" and owner of Carpa Nevada, is once again donating the profits made from sales of his fine Portuguese olive oils and balsamic vinegar to Pets of the Homeless, a Carson City-based 501(c)3 registered non-profit with a nationwide outreach. The fundraising sale began Thursday, Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2019. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar products can be purchased individually or by the case at Downtown Coin, 111 W. Telegraph in downtown Carson City.

— Gift wrapping by the Rainbow Girls Carson Assembly No. 7 at the Carson Mall, 1313 S. Carson Street in Carson City near the north entrance, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve and 10 a.m. to Noon on Christmas Eve. Donations are accepted in return for the wrapped gifts. Money raised will be used to support the group's annual service projects, which have included supporting the Veterans Guest House, Carson City Animal Services and Alzheimer's organizations.

— Toys for Tots Carson City and surrounding counties offers hotline for toys. Toys for Tots will be offering gifts to families in Carson City, Douglas, Storey and Lyon counties for Christmas. The hotline is available today and runs through Dec. 21, 2018. Call in times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call Ron Wood Family Resource Center: 884-2269. ENGLISH Speaking families call - (775) 800-3123. SPANISH speaking families call (775) 800-3583.

— Christmas tree permits available on Carson, Bridgeport ranger districts. Permits to cut Christmas trees on the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be available for purchase now through Dec. 25. The U.S. Forest Service Christmas Tree Program is designed for families, businesses, and institutions wishing to cut their own trees for decorating. Christmas tree permits must be purchased in person and are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis for $10 each, with a limit of two trees per household. Permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable, and only valid through Dec. 25, 2018. The Ranger Districts have a limited amount of Christmas tree permits available, and once those allotted permits are sold, no more will be available.

— Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is currently seeking individuals and pairs interested in leading interpretive programs in one of our many parks and open spaces. Interested individuals and pairs are encouraged to apply. If interested, go here.

— The Capital City Arts Initiative presents its exhibition, Americana with Cadmium Orange, by artist Gig Depio at the CCAI Courthouse Gallery, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Depio is an artist and an advocate for public art in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was awarded the 2016 Fellowship Grant in Painting by the Nevada Arts Council (NAC). He has worked on various exhibitions and projects with the Nevada Museum of Art, Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery, and UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum, among others. Depio graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. He lives in Las Vegas with his family. Carson City Courthouse Gallery, 885 E. Musser Street in Carson City.

— Meals on Wheels Carson City will be participating in the 2018 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America, one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the promotion. From Nov. 15 through Jan. 2, 2019, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer's choice of participating charities.
For more information on Meals on Wheels Carson City, email Courtney Warner at CWarner@carson.org, or call the Center at (775) 883-0703. The Carson City Senior Center is located at 911 Beverly Drive in Carson City. Visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove for more information on Subaru Share the Love event.

This calendar is updated throughout the day as information becomes available.

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